Dentures Chicago

Posted by Koos-Admin on September 28, 2015 | Comments Off on My denture is causing sore gums: What should I do?

A distinct disadvantage of dentures is that the devices lose their fit over time as the shape of the jaw changes following tooth loss. Unfortunately, an ill-fitting appliance can cause sore gums as well, making denture wear a very uncomfortable experience.

Dental implants can help patients overcome this problem. When a denture is supported by dental implants, the shape of the jaw remains more consistent over time, reducing the likelihood of gum pain.

Dental implants have this quality because the devices act like artificial tooth roots and help to stabilize the jaw. Therefore, it is less prone to atrophy, as is the case when the root structures are not replaced after tooth loss.

Patients may opt for implant-supported dentures initially for tooth loss, but even patients who have been wearing conventional dentures for many years can still qualify for implants with a procedure known as All-on-4.

With this technique, the oral surgeon places four dental implants toward the front of the jaw, where the bone is slower to atrophy following tooth loss. The denture is then designed to slip into place over the implants. The outer two implants are angled underneath the jaw so that they can support the weight of the denture’s entire rear portion.

This treatment timeline is quite brief. The patient receives all four dental implants in a single outpatient appointment and is fitted with at least a temporary appliance at the end of that session. Some patients may need to return to the office after implant osseointegration is complete in order to receive the permanent appliance.

In addition to reducing potential discomfort, All-on-4 patients are able to benefit from more security and stability of their appliances. Implant-supported dentures also are more effective at processing food, so these patients may not need to eliminate so many foods from their diet.

If you are interested in reducing or avoiding gum discomfort due to denture wear, contact the office of Steven Koos DDS, MD at 312-328-9000 to schedule an All-on-4 consultation. Learn if this procedure can meet your needs.

Posted by Koos-Admin on October 8, 2012 | Comments Off on I’ve worn dentures for years: Am I still a candidate for dental implants?

As many long-term denture wearers recognize, the jawbone wears away over time. This phenomenon, known as resorption, occurs because the teeth’s roots are no longer available to offer stability to the structural bone.

Dental implants are structurally sound because they fuse with the jawbone over the course of several months. However, that osseointegration process requires that patients have a sufficient amount of bone to sustain it. If not, then more significant additional procedures need to be done to regain that bone. It may seem, then, that patients who have worn dentures for several years may not be candidates for dental implants. However, a certain strategy can help those individuals take advantage of the many benefits of implants.

Dental implants are structurally sound because they fuse with the jawbone over the course of several months.

The bone erodes more quickly at the rear of the jaw, meaning that the front of the jaw stays intact longer. This pattern gives the oral surgeon an opportunity to place the implants in specific locations that maximize the available bone. A technique known as All-on-4, uses a quartet of dental implants situated at the front of the jaw to anchor a prosthetic arch of replacement teeth.

With All-on-4, nearly all patients qualify for dental implants, even those with significant jawbone atrophy.

For those rare patients whose cases are not appropriate for the All-on-4 technique, the oral surgeon still should be able to perform a bone graft to provide supplemental bone to support the implants. In this procedure, the surgeon will take bone from elsewhere in the body, such as the chin or hip, and place it in the jaw to give a boost to the remaining bone there. After the patient heals from the bone graft, the dental implants can be placed.

Have you had your dentures for years? Don’t write off the possibility of dental implants just yet. Talk to Dr. Steven Koos, your Chicago Illinois oral surgeons, about All-on-4 dental implants or, if necessary, a bone graft prior to dental implant placement. You should still be able to take advantage of this modern dental technology. Call 312-328-9000 to schedule your professional consultation today.

Posted by Koos-Admin on July 20, 2012 | Comments Off on Options for Denture Wearers

Chicago patients who need dentures have a number of options. They can stick with conventional poorly fitting appliances or decide to secure the prosthetic teeth using dental implants.

One important factor to consider in making this decision is the manner in which the jawbone changes after tooth loss. The roots are no longer present to support the contour of the jaw’s alveolar bone or provide stimulus with chewing into the bone to maintain its density. This results in typical patterns of bone loss and will shrink and change the shape of the jaw over time, contributing to premature facial aging as well as compromised function.

With standard dentures, this phenomenon means the patient will need to have the dentures relined and refitted periodically as the jaw continues to evolve. At a certain point, the patient may even need to get several new sets of dentures, and those dentures become extremely unstable. Most patients don’t want to have to go through that process and want the modern day solution to tooth loss.

As an alternative, Dr. Steven Koos, your Chicago Loop oral and maxillofacial surgeon, can use the All-on-4 technique to replace dentures with dental implants and an attached bridge. This approach involves four dental implants placed strategically toward the front of the jawbone, where erosion takes place more slowly. A bridge is then made by the dentist and gets attached that very same day – so the concept of “Teeth in a day” has finally arrived.

Implant-supported dentures and bridges offer a permanent solution. The jawbone is stabilized by the implants, which serve as replacements for some of the missing tooth roots, and the bridge or denture will not need to be refitted or replaced.

Dental implants offer a host of other benefits, too. They do an amazing job of keeping dentures in place versus ineffective denture adhesives, which also have an unpleasant taste. Patients also find that implant-supported dentures are more attractive and more functional than their conventional counterparts, the latter of which allows patients to enjoy a broader diet. With that comes more confidence socially.

What is truly revolutionary in the medical and dental field is that All-on-4 implants give patients a new smile on the day of the treatment. The implants are placed in an outpatient operating room procedure that takes just a few hours. The patient is then fitted with a temporary, attached bridge that day, then they return to the dentist for a permanent appliance after the implants have healed completely.

Patients who have lost all of their teeth should carefully consider all of their alternatives before choosing a prosthetic replacement. The day of living with old-fashioned dentures is over. If you have loved ones, who are older and have been in poor-fitting dentures for years, the All-on-4 procedure can help them regain those lost years and enrich their lives. Be sure to talk with our Chicago dental implant experts to learn more about your options. Call ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio at 312-328-9000 to schedule your consultation.

Posted by Koos-Admin on March 19, 2012 | Comments Off on Enjoy Peace of Mind with Implant-Supported Dentures

We all need a little support. Even our teeth need support. That’s why our natural teeth are designed to be supported by a strong foundation such as the jaw bone. When natural tooth loss occurs, it is always best to select a tooth replacement that can rely on the same strong foundation.

Patients with dentures in Chicago are learning that this concept applies to them with even greater importance when all of the teeth are missing. An entire denture can be modified to include dental implants, which are designed to be anchored directly to the jaw bone.

With the added support of dental implants, your denture is transformed from a plate that floats above the gums to a true set of teeth that feel like your natural teeth. A minimal number of dental implants can provide a tremendous amount of stability for your denture. Even without denture glue or adhesive, patients with implant-supported dentures are able to enjoy peace of mind as well as unparalleled comfort.

Dental implants have made an impressive impact on the quality and function of dentures. Soon after the implants are placed into the jaw, the healing process begins. The surrounding bone becomes integrated with the surface of the implant. Then, just as a natural tooth root is meant to absorb the forces of biting and chewing, so can the implant.

When the denture is connected to the implants, patients can again enjoy the foods that they prefer. Speaking without the embarrassment of slipping or clicking dentures becomes possible again with implant supported dentures. Bone loss is no longer a concern, since implants have been proven to prevent bone resorption.

Since your smile should be as unique as your personality, our Downtown Chicago oral maxillofacical surgeon will create an implant supported denture that fits like a glove. Specific details such as the size and shade of the teeth can be discussed and selected. When the dentures and implants are in place, you can be confident that people are focused on you, not on your false teeth.